The Joint Clitheroe Line and East Lancashire Lines Community Rail Partnerships (CL/ELCRPs) recently held their quarterly management group meeting.
Mike Cliffe (Chair) & Simon Clarke (CRDO) at the launch of the EcoEscapes Project – photo © Mark Sutcliffe
A well attended online meeting was opened by Chair, Mike Cliffe and he welcomed everyone especially new members.
The minutes from the last quarterly meeting held in January 2025 were approved and Network Rail’s Andy Griffin agreed to follow up the locations for the Inspiration Train.
Partnership Secretary Richard Watts gave an update on the Activity Plan and covered the following points:
+ Unveiling a memorial bench for Derek Jennings at Brierfield station – see https://communityraillancashire.co.uk/news/railway-stalwart-remembered-at-brierfield/
+ Successful Lancashire Science Fair at the University of (Central) Lancashire
+ Community Rail Week, with events staged everyday – see https://communityraillancashire.co.uk/cr-week-2025/
+ Well attended Station Adopters Meeting held in County Hall, Preston – https://communityraillancashire.co.uk/station-adopters-meeting-2025/
+ CRL celebrated a first place in the Hyndburn Business Awards 2025 in the Not For Profit category – see https://communityraillancashire.co.uk/news/crl-wins-at-hyndburn-business-awards/
+ Also noted that Richard himself had won a coveted Paul Harris Fellowship awarded by The Rotary Club
Richard with his Paul Harris Fellowship medal
Richard went on to give an idea of things to come including:
+ Reaccreditation meeting due in October 2025
+ Continuing to promote the Yorkshire Dales Explorer Saturday service
+ A rethink of the printed timetable for the Clitheroe Line that might be included in a new Line Guide
A copy of the full Activity Plan Update can be downloaded on this link CL&ELCRPs Activity Plan Update July 2025
Next Community Rail Officer Dave Savage gave an brief Education Team update and the full presentation can be seen here CL&ELCRPs Education Update July 2025
Following this Northern’s Owain Roberts & Martin Keating gave an update on all things Northern including:
+ Performance Target of 90% T-3 and 2% cancellations by end of 2027
+ Discussions continuing with RMT regarding contractual commitment for Sundays
+ Festival of Making in Blackburn saw trains running instead of buses on the Sunday
+ Noted that Ian Muldowney has been appointed as the new Fleet Director
+ Martin gave an update on community rail activity and details can be seen in the presentation
+ New shelters upgraded at Cherry Tree, Clitheroe, Pleasington
You can download the full Northern presentation on this link CL&ELCRPs Northern July 2025
This was followed by a short update from Network Rail including:
+ Details of the Railway 200 Inspiration Train coming to Blackpool North in November
+ Mentioned the Stockport Blockade
+ Noted that Hest Bank signal box is being refurbished and will be available for school visits
Partnership Chair Mike Cliffe then updated on LCC issues and his notes can be seen here Mike’s notes July 2025
The various Station Groups present gave short updates along with Ribble Valley Rail and the South East Lancashire CRP
The next Joint meeting of the two CRPs will be held on 22 October 2025